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Muhammad Ali, the 21-year-old flyweight boxer who represented Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, has been banned for two years after failing a drugs test.

Ali tested positive for the anabolic steroid Trenbolone, known to increase muscle growth, during the World Series of Boxing in Morocco in April last year. The steroid is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list.

Ali said: "All they caught me with was two nanograms. I can't explain it. I was trying to make 52kg and I wouldn't want to put muscle on. I was literally trying to cut weight. It doesn't make sense."

Ali is the first member of the British Amateur Boxing squad to fail a drugs test for a banned substance, and will be eligible to compete again in May 2019.

Ali received a provisional suspension last October and has now reached a "settlement agreement" with the International Boxing Association (AIBA). AIBA acknowledged Ali had not taken the substance with the intention to cheat.

Ali reacts after being knocked out in the first roundCredit:
Getty images

According to reports from BBC Sport, Ali put his case to AIBA arguing he may have eaten contaminated meat in Morocco, or had the steroid in his system after consuming a drink intended for his father, but AIBA did not accept the claim.

The boxer, who was knocked out in the first round of the 2016 Rio Olympics, believes the length of his ban is "extreme" and said it "couldn't have been any worse".

"I didn't leave my bedroom for five months," Ali said. "I was so depressed, but it is what it is. I've just got to do my time and move on.

"I thought it would be a six-month suspension or something. There's going to be people saying this and that. I don't want anyone thinking I'm a bad guy."

WBO super middleweight champion George Groves told the media: "We know it's rife in sport. But we are not talking about running 100m. Anyone in boxing who deliberately takes substances to improve performance and power should not be able to box again, banned for life."

Speaking ahead of his Muhammad Ali Trophy World Boxing Super Series semi-final against Chris Eubank Jnr a week on Saturday in Manchester, Groves also took a swipe at his rival, telling reporters: "I can't believe Eubank has been installed as the bookies' favourite, he hasn't even got a proper trainer. Eubank Sr is delusional."